Hayes Mag disc brake, 1997

5 / 15

The Hayes Mag was the first disc brake to balance weight savings, performance, and practicality. It delivered what other discs had long promised: more stopping power and control, especially in adverse conditions. After a rider used discs, rim brakes felt woefully inadequate. The Mag's arrival coincided with a fruitful period in the development of full-suspension bikes, during which designs were improving and riders began pushing their bikes harder on more aggressive terrain--they demanded more control from their brakes. Convinced that the technology was ready for mass markets, Trek outfitted Mag brakes on several models, giving Hayes instant credibility. Today, discs' domination of the mountain-bike market is complete: You likely won't find a new mountain bike with anything else at your shop. Instead of stopping there, disc brakes are jumping to other categories, such as commuter bikes and cyclocross bikes. High-performance road bikes will likely see discs in 2013.